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PBS Teleconference 6/11/91 [OA 6034]
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13571
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13571-004
Folder Title:
PBS Teleconference 6/11/91 [OA 6034]
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26
17
1
7
P.B.S. TELECONFERENCE
THANK YOU, BRUCE, FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION, AND
GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU. I WISH I WAS THERE WITH YOU
IN ORLANDO. INSTEAD I'M STUCK UP HERE IN DISNEY WORLD
NORTH.
I LOVE THE IDEA OF TALKING WITH YOU IN A
TELECONFERENCE. NOTHING COULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
EVERY DAY, P.B.S. TRANSPORTS IDEAS, LESSONS, AND
INFORMATION FROM ONE SIDE OF THIS COUNTRY TO THE OTHER
-- FROM BIG CITIES TO SMALL TOWNS AND BACK.
SOME OF US REMEMBER WHEN P.B.S. WAS CALLED
"EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION." YOUR NAME HAS CHANGED, OF
COURSE, BUT YOUR MISSION HASN'T. TODAY, YOUR 300
AFFILIATES SERVE 63,000 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOLS ACROSS THE NATION. YOUR BROADCASTS REACH 30
MILLION KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE STUDENTS.
- 2 -
I
SOME OF YOUR PROGRAMS SUSTAIN INQUISITIVE ADULTS.
OTHERS GO STRAIGHT TO COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.
(PERSONALLY, I'M LOOKING FOR A GOOD COMPUTER
INSTRUCTION COURSE -- BUT YOU PROBABLY NEED TO FIND A
TRULY QUALIFIED 7-YEAR-OLD TO MAKE IT CREDIBLE.) IN
THE PAST YEAR, ENROLLMENT -- IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT
THAT -- IN YOUR ELECTRONIC COLLEGE CLASSROOM HAS GROWN
20 PERCENT.
THESE AND OTHER PROGRAMS FIT RIGHT INTO OUR AMERICA
2000 EDUCATION STRATEGY. AS YOU KNOW, THAT STRATEGY
FOLLOWS A FOUR-TRACK PATH TO ACHIEVING OUR SIX NATIONAL
EDUCATION GOALS: CREATING BETTER AND MORE ACCOUNTABLE
SCHOOLS FOR TODAY'S STUDENTS; INVENTING A NEW
GENERATION OF AMERICAN SCHOOLS; BECOMING A NATION OF
STUDENTS -- YOUNG AND OLD; AND MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES
PLACES WHERE LEARNING CAN HAPPEN.
- 3 -
WE'VE TALKED A BIT ABOUT HOW YOU IMPROVE TODAY'S
SCHOOLS --TRACK ONE. EVERYONE SHOULD GET INVOLVED.
FOR INSTANCE, I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT P.B.S. WILL BE
DONATING A SATELLITE DISH TO SLANESVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA
-- HOME OF TEACHER OF THE YEAR, RAE ELLEN MCKEE.
SHE'LL BE TALKING TO YOU IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. I
VISITED HER SCHOOL IN APRIL, AND I THINK YOU'LL AGREE:
SHE DESERVES THE HONOR SHE'S RECEIVED. //
BUT STATE-OF-THE-ART HARDWARE IS JUST ONE WAY YOU
HELP OUR SCHOOLS STEP INTO THEIR FUTURE. MY KIDS TELL
ME THEY USED TO DREAD IT WHEN A TEACHER ROLLED A
TELEVISION INTO THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY'D
HAVE TO LOOK AT A BLACK-AND-WHITE VIDEOTAPED LECTURE
FROM A TEACHER IN A ROOM WITH BAD ACOUSTICS. NO ONE
MAKES THOSE COMPLAINTS ANYMORE. YOU'VE CHANGED WITH
THE TIMES. YOU'VE DEVELOPED NEW PROGRAMMING. YOU'VE
PIONEERED NEW BROADCASTING TECHNIQUES -- INCLUDING
CLOSED CAPTIONING FOR DEAF STUDENTS AND THE DESCRIPTIVE
VIDEO SERVICE FOR BLIND STUDENTS.
- 4 -
NOW, AS WE PREPARE TO CREATE NEW AMERICAN SCHOOLS,
YOU LOOK TO THE HEAVENS: TELSTAR 401, DUE TO RACE INTO
ORBIT IN 1993, WILL LET YOU TRANSMIT TELEVISION SIGNALS
NATIONWIDE. THAT CERTAINLY WON'T HURT WHEN IT COMES TO
DEVELOPING NEW AUDIENCES FOR YOUR SHOWS.
TRACK THREE OF AMERICA 2000 -- DEVELOPING A NATION
OF STUDENTS -- RUNS RIGHT THROUGH YOUR STUDIOS.
BARBARA AND I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR WORK IN
GIVING PREVIOUSLY ILLITERATE AMERICANS THE GIFT OF
READING. PROJECT LITERACY U.S. -- PLUS -- HELPS TURN
AMERICANS SUBMERGED IN THE DARKNESS OF ILLITERACY INTO
BEAMING POINTS OF LIGHT.
- 5 -
YOU OFFER REFRESHER COURSES, PRACTICAL COURSES, AND
PROGRAMS THAT CAUSE THE VIEWER TO PAUSE, THINK -- AND
EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE OF IDEAS. I CAN'T THINK OF ANY
SERIES THAT HAS DONE MORE TO ADVANCE THE STUDY OF
AMERICAN HISTORY, FOR INSTANCE, THAN KEN BURNS' SERIES
'THE CIVIL WAR." I'LL BE VISITING SOME VERY SPECIAL
STUDENTS IN DELAWARE LATER TODAY -- A GROUP OF NIGHT
SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO GAIN HIGH
SCHOOL DIPLOMAS. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THEY DIDN'T
OWE SOME OF THEIR INSPIRATION -- AND EDUCATION -- TO
YOU.
MY POINT IS SIMPLE: THE DAYS OF THE LITTLE RED
SCHOOLHOUSE ARE OVER. WE FIND OURSELVES IN AN ERA OF
COMPETITION -- AND EDUCATION, LIKE ANY OTHER VITAL
INDUSTRY, WILL BENEFIT FROM THE CONSTANT TUG AND PULL
OF NEW IDEAS, NEW PRODUCTS. YOU PUSH EVERYONE IN THE
EDUCATION INDUSTRY TO DO MORE, TO DO BETTER. FOR YEARS
YOUR EFFORTS -- AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT ONLY A FEW OF
THEM -- HAVE PROMOTED RESPECT FOR LEARNING -- AND AN
APPETITE FOR EDUCATION.
- 6 -
IN LAUNCHING OUR AMERICA 2000 PROJECT, I HAVE ASKED
EACH STATE AND EVERY AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO JOIN IN AN
AMBITIOUS EFFORT -- A CRUSADE FOR EDUCATIONAL
EXCELLENCE. IN MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY,
INDIVIDUALS HAVE ALREADY STEPPED FORWARD TO BE THE
SPARKPLUG THAT ENERGIZES BUSINESSMEN, PARENTS,
COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EDUCATORS TO MAKE AMERICA'S
SCHOOLS BETTER AND MORE ACCOUNTABLE. I BELIEVE OUR
SCHOOLS WILL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER WHEN PARENTS AND
COMMUNITIES MAKE CHANGE THEIR MISSION. so, AS THE
AMERICA 2000 PROJECT TAKES ROOT IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS
THIS COUNTRY, I WOULD ASK EACH OF YOU TO JOIN US -- -- TO
BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT REVOLUTION
TO TRANSFORM AMERICAN EDUCATION.
WELL, THANKS FOR LISTENING TO MY LECTURE. NOW, I'D
LIKE TO ANSWER A FEW OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
*
*
*
*
- 7 -
QUESTION:
HOW WILL THE ROLE OF THE STATES -- AND LOCAL
EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS -- CHANGE IN THE NEXT
CENTURY?
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
STATE GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATURES -- ALONG WITH
LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS -- ARE CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF
OUR AMERICA 2000 STRATEGY. THOSE WHO THINK EDUCATION
PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED IN WASHINGTON OUGHT TO KNOW
BETTER -- BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW BETTER. THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDES ROUGHLY SEVEN PERCENT OF
THE TOTAL DOLLARS SPENT ON EDUCATION; STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE 93 PERCENT. AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL,
WE CAN SET GOALS AND STANDARDS THAT EVERY COMMUNITY,
EVERY SCHOOL, AND EVERY STUDENT CAN TRY ACHIEVE. BUT
IT IS IN OUR STATES -- IT IS IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE
MUST BECOME PART OF THE CRUSADE TO INVENT A NEW
GENERATION OF AMERICAN SCHOOLS -- TO FIGURE OUT BETTER
WAYS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING.
- 8 -
THE STATES WILL HAVE TO AGREE TO HOLD THEMSELVES
AND THEIR SCHOOLS TO HIGHER STANDARDS - -- WE CAN'T DO
THAT FROM WASHINGTON. BUT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION LAMAR
ALEXANDER AND I ARE COMMITTED TO LEAD, TO EXHORT
EVERYONE TO A HIGHER STANDARD, AND TO TRAVEL THIS
COUNTRY AND HIGHLIGHT MODELS OF WHAT WORKS. NEXT WEEK,
WE WILL JOIN GOVERNOR ROMER WHEN HE KICKS OFF COLORADO
2000 -- THE FIRST STATE-WIDE EFFORT TO ADOPT THE
NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS AND DEVELOP THE STRATEGIES TO
MEET THEM. THE STATE ROLE IS CRUCIAL AS COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE NATION COMPETE TO BE AMERICA 2000
COMMUNITIES. OUR NEW BREED OF EDUCATION GOVERNORS
ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR REVOLUTIONARY NEW
PROGRAM - AMERICA 2000.
QUESTION:
MR. PRESIDENT, YOU MEET OFTEN WITH WORLD LEADERS
-- HAVE YOU SEEN ANY EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES IN OTHER
COUNTRIES THAT YOU'D LIKE TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR
EDUCATION GOALS FOR THE UNITED STATES?
- 9 -
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
IN JAPAN AND KOREA PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN
THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS -- AND STUDENTS DO MUCH MORE
HOMEWORK THAN THE AVERAGE STUDENT IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS.
IN CHINA, STUDENTS ROUTINELY LEARN TWO OR THREE
LANGUAGES. IN THE SOVIET UNION, STUDENTS ARE LEARNING
ALGEBRA IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. GOVERNMENT LEADERS
AROUND THE WORLD TELL ME THAT STUDENTS ARE LEARNING
MATH IN DIFFERENT WAYS THAN AMERICAN YOUNGSTERS -- THEY
AREN'T JUST LEARNING TO USE COMPUTERS BUT ARE APPLYING
MATH TO EVERYDAY PROBLEMS, EVERYDAY SITUATIONS.
THERE IS A LOT TO LEARN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES; BUT
WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT WE WANT TO HAVE AMERICAN
SCHOOLS THAT COUNTRIES EVERYWHERE ARE TRYING TO
EMULATE. JAPAN, FOR INSTANCE, IS TRYING TO INTRODUCE
MORE CREATIVITY -- AND GET AWAY FROM JUST LEARNING BY
ROTE. AND WHEREVER WE GO, WE'RE THE WORLD'S GRAND
CHAMPIONS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY.
*
*
*
*
- 10 -
so, THANKS FOR LETTING ME DROP IN ON YOU FROM ABOUT
22,000 MILES IN SPACE -- BY SATELLITE, THAT IS. AND
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING TO MAKE AMERICA SMARTER.
# # #
Document No.
244 278
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 06/10/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
(06/10 draft two)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
P
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
91 JUN 10 PM 6:19
June 10, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DAVID DEMAREST
&
SUBJECT:
PBS TELECONFERENCE
I.
SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m., you will address via
satellite the annual meeting of the Public Broadcasting
System in Orlando, Florida. The audience will consist of
about 900 local station executives from around the country.
II. DISCUSSION
The remarks (7 minutes, on teleprompter) outline how
public television fits into America 2000.
After the remarks, there are two questions with
suggested answers.
(Snow/Simon)
PBS.TS
Draft Two
June 10, 1991
4-p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North otherwise known as
Washington.
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television. Your name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. Your broadcasts reach 30
million Kindergarten through 12th grade students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to find a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic college classroom has grown 20
percent.
2.
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track path to achieving our six national education goals:
creating better and more accountable schools for today's
students; inventing a new generation of American schools;
becoming a nation of students young and old; and making our
communities places where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools
Track One. Everyone should get involved. For instance, I'm
happy to see that PBS will be donating a satellite dish to
Slanesville, West Virginia -- home of Teacher of the Year, Rãe
Ellen McKee. She'll be talking to you in just a few minutes I
visited her school in April, and I think you'll agree: she
deserves the honor she's received. //
But state-of-the-art hardware is just one way you help our
schools step into their future. My kids tell me they used to
dread it when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom
because they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white
videotaped lecture from a teacher in a room with bad acoustics.
No one makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the
times. You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to create New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, due to race into orbit in 1993, will
let you transmit television signals nationwide. That certainly
3
won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences for your
shows.
Track three of America 2000 -- developing a nation of
students -- runs right through your studios. Barbara and I
cannot thank you enough for your work in giving previously
illiterate Americans the gift of reading. Project Literacy U.S.
PLUS -- helps turn Americans submerged in the darkness of
illiteracy into beaming points of light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the universe
of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done more to
advance the study of American history, for instance, than Ken
Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be surprised if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- have promoted respect for learning -- and an appetite for
education.
4
In launching our America 2000 project, I have asked each
state and every American community to join in an ambitious effort
a crusade for educational excellence. In many communities
across this country, individuals have already stepped forward to
be the sparkplug that energizes businessmen, parents, community
leaders and educators to make America's schools better and more
accountable. I believe our schools will change for the better
when parents and communities make change their mission. So, as
the America 2000 project takes root in communities across this
country, I would ask each of you to join us -- to become involved
in this enormously important revolution to transform American
education.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy. Those who think education problems can be
solved in Washington ought to know better -- because the American
people know better. The federal government provides roughly
seven percent of the total dollars spent on education; state and
local governments provide 93 percent. At the national level, we
5
can set goals and standards that every community, every school,
and every student can try achieve. But it is in our states
it
is in our communities that we must become part of the crusade to
invent a new generation of American schools to figure out:
better ways of teaching and learning.
The states will have to agree to hold themselves and their
schools to higher standards we can't do that from Washington.
But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are committed to
lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and to travel this
country and highlight models of what works. Next week, we will
join Governor Romer when he kicks off Colorado 2000 -- the first
state-wide effort to adopt the National Education Goals and
develop the strategies to meet them. The state role is crucial
as communities across the nation compete to be America 2000
communities. As much as I'd like to be the Education President,
it's more important that we have Education Governors.
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan and Korea parents are actively
involved in their children's schools -- and students do much more
homework than the average student in American schools. In China,
students routinely learn two or three languages. In the Soviet
Union, students are learning algebra in elementary school.
6
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools
and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
So, thanks for letting me drop in on you from about 22,000
miles in Space -- by satellite, that is. And thank you for all
you're doing to make America smarter.
# # # # -
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 10, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DAVID DEMAREST
a
SUBJECT:
PBS TELECONFERENCE
I. SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m., you will address via
satellite the annual meeting of the Public Broadcasting
System in Orlando, Florida. The audience will consist of
about 900 local station executives from around the country.
II. DISCUSSION
The remarks (7 minutes, on teleprompter) outline how
public television fits into America 2000.
After the remarks, there are two questions with
suggested answers.
(Snow/Simon)
PBS.TS
Draft Two
June 10, 1991
4 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as.
Washington.
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." Your name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. Your broadcasts reach 30
million Kindergarten through 12th grade students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to find a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it.
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic college classroom has grown 20
percent.
2
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track path to achieving our six national education goals:
creating better and more accountable schools for today's
students; inventing a new generation of American schools;
becoming a nation of students -- young and old; and making our
communities places where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One. Everyone should get involved. For instance, I'm
happy to see that PBS will be donating a satellite dish to
Slanesville, West Virginia -- home of Teacher of the Year, Rae
Ellen McKee. She'll be talking to you in just a few minutes. I
visited her school in April, and I think you'll agree: she
deserves the honor she's received. //
But state-of-the-art hardware is just one way you help our
schools step into their future. My kids tell me they used to
dread it when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom
because they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white
videotaped lecture from a teacher in a room with bad acoustics.
No one makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the
times. You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to create New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, due to race into orbit in 1993, will
let you transmit television signals nationwide. That certainly
3
won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences for your
shows.
Track three of America 2000 -- developing a nation of
students -- runs right through your studios. Barbara and I
cannot thank you enough for your work in giving previously
illiterate Americans the gift of reading. Project Literacy U.S.
-- PLUS -- helps turn Americans submerged in the darkness of
illiteracy into beaming points of light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the universe
of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done more to
advance the study of American history, for instance, than Ken
Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be surprised if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- have promoted respect for learning -- and an appetite for
education.
4
In launching our America 2000 project, I have asked each
state and every American community to join in an ambitious effort
-- a crusade for educational excellence. In many communities
across this country, individuals have already stepped forward to
be the sparkplug that energizes businessmen, parents, community
leaders and educators to make America's schools better and more
accountable. I believe our schools will change for the better
when parents and communities make change their mission. So, as
the America 2000 project takes root in communities across this
country, I would ask each of you to join us -- to become involved
in this enormously important revolution to transform American
education.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy. Those who think education problems can be
solved in Washington ought to know better -- because the American
people know better. The federal government provides roughly
seven percent of the total dollars spent on education; state and
local governments provide 93 percent. At the national level, we
5
can set goals and standards that every community, every school,
and every student can try achieve. But it is in our states -- it
is in our communities that we must become part of the crusade to
invent a new generation of American schools to figure out
better ways of teaching and learning.
The states will have to agree to hold themselves and their
schools to higher standards -- we can't do that from Washington.
But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are committed to
lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and to travel this
country and highlight models of what works. Next week, we will
join Governor Romer when he kicks off Colorado 2000 -- the first
state-wide effort to adopt the National Education Goals and
develop the strategies to meet them. The state role is crucial
as communities across the nation compete to be America 2000
communities. As much as I'd like to be the Education President,
it's more important that we have Education Governors.
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan and Korea parents are actively
involved in their children's schools -- and students do much more
homework than the average student in American schools. In China,
students routinely learn two or three languages. In the Soviet
Union, students are learning algebra in elementary school.
6
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters -- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
*
*
*
*
So, thanks for letting me drop in on you from about 22,000
miles in Space -- by satellite, that is. And thank you for all
you re doing to make America smarter.
# # #
Document No. 24427855
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 6/7/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: MONDAY, 6/10/91 9:00 a.m
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, with a copy to this office.
Thank you.
\ I MASTER-
RESPONSE:
See comments. Thanks. (all changesare
Doey Williamson
from Edlication.)
6-10-91
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
* Again - needs plug for lack of programs
in 100 days -problems need to be solved, can't do it
without more responsible Congress (Smith)
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN -7 PM 12: 27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes) (Simon)
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television.
You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. (Porter) 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million Kindergasten K
through 12^ students. (Porter)
th Grade
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
College (Simon)
2
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000 (Simon)
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a inventing four-
track the future: improving today's schools; building
read path to achieving our six national education goals: creating ("building"
sounds too
anew generation of American becoming creating schools better for tmare today's accountable students; (PORTERRUCH like
schools of the future; creating a nation of students young and "briclest
old; and^ building communities/where places learning can happen.
making our
nortar",
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
will be serding (Jimon)
home of
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia.
Now
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to to you today (Simon) in
teacher of the year (sonon)
She be
just a few minutes. She Cour teacher of the (Simon) year and I think
america's
she's received.
you'll agree: She deserves the honor JY/
need a transition-
not clear
its?
Satellite
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
who "you" is
dishes
PBS?
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it are also
the wave
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because of the
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
future.
lecture from a dull (PORTER) teacher & in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
create
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope) will let you transmit high-definition television
(Tron)
(Sima)
(Simon)
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
transforming America into (Porter)
of america 2000
Track three/\ developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply (Porter) cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shooked surprised if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
have promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
years your (Counsel) efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
presect see A (next pase) As
4
an administration, we believe deeply in education and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
Those who think education problems
can be solved in washington, ought to
know better because the Amer.
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along people with know better.
local school districts are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy,/because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
roughly (Porter)
on education; governments (Porter)
dollars spent, State and local^provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live achieve up to.°
and school
But / the states are going to be the ones who mustXinvent a new crusadet
it is in our States - itis in our communities that we must become pact offa
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure support
to (porter) 25* encourage our
out better ways/\to teach. The states will have to agree to hold their commun-
of teaching and learning
and their schools (Porter)
ities to
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
(Porter)
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works The
state role is crucial, As much as I'd like to be the Education
as community across the nation compete to be amer. 2000 communits
Next week, we will join Governor Romer when he kicks off Colorado 2000-
the first state-wide effort to adopt the National Education littls
and develop the Strategies tn meet them.
JUN-10-1991 08:49 FROM DOEd OFFICE of SECRETARY TO
94562223
P.06
INSERT A
In launching our America 2000 project, I have asked each
state and every American community to join in an ambitious
effort a crusade for educational excellence. In many
communities across this country individuals have already
stepped forward to be the sparkplug that energizes
businessmen, parents, community leaders and educators to
embrage Sundamental educational information So as the America
2000 project takes root in communities across this country,
I would ask each of you to be among leaders to become
involved in this enormously important and enoritons
Eseratution
rewarding
effort. to transform fducation.
join in
when Schools Better and more accountable.
2 believe we will charge our schools when
parents and communities tay to charge
them,
5
(Parter
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
and Korea parents are actively involved
in their children's schools and students do much more homework than
the average student in American schools, (Porter)
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do, e
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters -- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
*
*
so thanks for letting me drop in on you
from about 22,000 miles in space -- by satellite,
that 15. And thank you for all you're doing to make
America smarter,
(Simon)
LONG-RANGE SCHEDULING MEETING
#98
June 10, 1991
10:30 p.m.
Kathy Super's Office
I.
Review Narrative Schedule
II. Review Block Schedule
III. Review Schedule Requests:
1.
Request:
Attend the unveiling of the President's
official bust at the U.S. Capitol
ackin
From:
Fred McClure
Date:
June 1991
Location:
Washington, D.C. - The Capitol
-
2.
Request:
Photo Opportunity with the National Commander
and the Executive Director of AMVETS
A
From:
Dave Demarest
Date:
June 1991
Location:
The White House - Oval Office
3.
Request:
Photo Opportunity with the Pittsburgh
Penguins, the 1991 National Hockey League
A
Champions
From:
Dave Demarest
Date:
Mid-June, 1991
Location:
The White House - Rose Garden
4.
Request:
Host a White House reception for the New York
Giant Football Team
From:
G
Dave Demarest
Date:
Mid-June, 1991
Location:
The White House - Jackie Kennedy Garden
5.
Request:
Visit the supercomputing center at the
California Institute of Technology
From:
Dr. Bromley/Dave Demarest
Date:
June 14, 1991
Location:
Pasadena, California
6.
Request:
Participate in a fundraiser for Congressman
Larry Hopkins, GOP candidate for Governor
H
From:
Ron Kaufman
Date:
TBD - June 29, 1991 suggested
Location:
Louisville, Kentucky
7.
Request:
Briefing with business reporters
From:
Dorrance Smith
Date:
Week of July 8, 1991
Location:
The White House - Room 450
8.
Request:
Address the General Assembly of the
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of
25th
North America
From:
Outside Invitation
Date:
July 25-26, 1991
A
Location:
The White House - Oval Office
NOTE: Governor Sununu recommends photo and
POTUS attendance at an afternoon event
9.
Request:
Meeting with leaders from the disability and
business communities
RAPA
From:
Justin Dart
Date:
Open
Location:
The White House
10.
Request:
Photo Opportunity with the winner from the
Duck Stamp Design Contest
From:
Ede Holiday
Date:
Open
Location:
The White House - Oval Office
11.
Request:
Meet with Dr. Carol L. Grosse, the 1991
National Superintendent of the Year
From:
Outside Invitation
Date:
Open
Location:
The White House - Oval Office
Special Requests:
12.
Request:
Video Message for RJR Nabisco's Next Century
litter
Schools Program
From:
Sig Rogich
Date:
June 26 deadline
Location:
The White House
NOTE: Secretary Alexander recommends
13.
Request:
Video Message for the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters
From:
&
Sig Rogich
Date:
June 24 deadline
Location:
The White House
NOTE: Ron Kaufman recommends
14.
Request:
Video Message for the Anniversary of the
American Disabilities Act
From:
Sig Rogich
Date:
July 26 deadline
Location:
The White House
Request:
Video Message for the 26th Annual Special
Forces Association Convention
letter
From:
Sig Rogich
Date:
June 28 deadline
Location:
The White House
16.
Request:
Video Message for the Nazarene Youth Congress
From:
Sig Rogich
Date:
July 23 deadline
Location:
The White House
NOTE: This request was previously on hold
Simon
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN -7 PM 12: 27
PBS. TS
91 JUN 9 PII : 22
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. acknow ledgments
(additional Jokes)
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million K
through 12 students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment
if you want to call
college
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
inventing
track road to the future: improving today's schools; building
schools of the future; creating a nation of students -- young and
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
will be sending
home of
you Bent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia, Now,
teacher of the year
She'll be
the students there Rae Ellen McKee talkito you codery in
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
she's received,
you'll agree: She deserves the honor "N"
annual
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
lecture from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
BS
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
Mr.
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit a high-defination television
Barry
3
signals
I
a
technology
of
the
future
nationwide.
That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live up to.
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters -- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
So thanks for letting me
drop in on you from about 22,000
miles in space-by satellite, that is. and
thank you for all you're doing to make
america smarter.
Document No. 24427855
91
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
A1:13
DATE: 6/7/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: MONDAY, 6/10/91 9:00 a.m
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE N/C
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
N/C
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY Land 2896
HOLIDAY see master
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, with a copy to this office.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN -7 PM 27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes).
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million K
through 12 students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2-
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track road to the future: improving today's schools; building
schools of the future; creating a nation of students -- young and
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts --- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia. Now,
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to you today in
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
you'll agree: She deserves the honor.,
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
lecture from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit high-definition television
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War. I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live up to.
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters --- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
Document No. 24427855
91 JUN
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMOR ANDUM
51
DATE: 6/7/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: MONDAY, 6/10/91 9:00 a.m
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, with a copy to this office.
Thank you.
RESPONSE: Again- need plug for luch of progress
in Z 100 drys- - problems need to
be solven, can't do it without
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
move responsible Congress
(Snow/Simon)
91JUN -7 PM 12: 27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes).
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million K
through 12 students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2.
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track road to the future: improving today's schools; building
schools of the future; creating a nation of students -- young and
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools ---
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia. Now,
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to you today in
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
you'll agree: She deserves the honor.//
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
lecture from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit high-definition television
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War. I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live up to.
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters --- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
Document No. 24427855
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
P3:17
DATE: 6/7/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: MONDAY, 6/10/91 9:00 a.m
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, with a copy to this office.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
QYAR
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN -7 PM 12: 27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes).
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million K
through 12 students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2.
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track road to the future: improving today's schools; building
schools of the future; creating a nation of students -- young and
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia. Now,
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to you today in-
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
you'll agree: She deserves the honor.//
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
lecture from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit high-definition television
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War. I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live up to.
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters --- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity --- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 8, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR TONY SNOW
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: PBS Teleconference
We have reviewed the attached remarks from a policy
standpoint and have noted several suggestions on the draft.
Please let us know if you have any questions or if we may
91 JUN 10 17
help in any other way.
CC: Phillip D. Brady
Document No. 24427855
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 6/7/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: MONDAY, 6/10/91 9:00 a.i
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, with a copy to this office.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN -7 PM 12: 27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
NON- PRES/DENTIAL
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes).
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million KINDERLARTEN K
TH GRADE
through students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
DIRECTLY
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
d
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
achieving our six National education goals:
track road to the future: improving today 's schools; building
a New goneration A of American
schools of the future; I creating a nation of students -- young and
creating better ann more accountable schools far todays students;
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia. Now,
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to you today in
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
you'll agree: She deserves the honor.//
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
50UNDS LIKE
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
TEACHERS TODAY
lecture [from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
ARE SUDERIOR
70 IN THE
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
PAST.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit high-definition television
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
transforming America into
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides ROUGHLY only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local GOVERNMENTS h provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student L can try to live ACHIEVE up to.
AND SCHOOL
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new ities to
encourage and support Their commun
generation of American schools -- start TO from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
and their schools
themselves^ to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
AND KOREA PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
IN THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS AND SNDENTS Do MUCH MORE HOMEWORK THAN
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
THE AVERAGE STUDENT IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters -- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
THE WHITE HOUSE
91 JUN 9 WASHINGTON P9: 16
June 10, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR TONY SNOW
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
COMMUNICATIONS AND DIRECTOR OF SPEECHWRITING
FROM:
ASSOCIATE AS COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
NELSON LUND
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: PBS Teleconference
At the request of Phillip D. Brady, Counsel's office has reviewed
the captioned remarks. Changes are marked on the attached hard
copy.
We appreciate the opportunity to review these remarks.
CC w/a: Phillip D. Brady
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN -7 PM 12:27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes).
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
,
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." You name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million K
through 12 students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
find
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2.
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track road to the future: improving today's schools; building
schools of the future; creating a nation of students -- young and
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia. Now,
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to you today in
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
you'll agree: She deserves the honor.//
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
lecture from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit high-definition television
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
have
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live up to.
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters --- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
Document No. 24427855
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
P9: P9:28 28
DATE: 6/7/91
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: MONDAY, 6/10/91 9:00 a.m
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
PETERSMEYER
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BRADY
SMITH
BROMLEY
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, with a copy to this office.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
See comments
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Snow/Simon)
91 JUN - 7 PM 12: 27
PBS.TS
Draft One
June 7, 1991
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington. (additional acknowledgments, jokes).
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." Yourname has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. (Every time I see that
figure, it boggles. 63,000!) Your broadcasts reach 30 million K
through 12 students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to fine a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
)
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic classroom has grown 20 percent.
2
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track road to the future: improving today's schools; building
schools of the future; creating a nation of students -- young and
old; and building communities where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools ----
Track One -- but there's more. Not enough people know that PBS
contributes hardware to many small school districts -- and gives
them the means to bring into their classrooms the finest and
liveliest educational material available. I'm happy to see that
you sent a satellite dish to Slanesville, West Virginia. Now,
the students there can see Rae Ellen McKee talk to you today in
just a few minutes. She's our teacher of the year, and I think
you'll agree: She deserves the honor.//
But you also cast your eye toward the future -- and the
schools of the future. My kids tell me they used to dread it
when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because
they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white videotaped
lecture from a dull teacher in a room with bad acoustics. No one
makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the times.
You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to build New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, which will race into orbit in 1993
(we hope), will let you transmit high-definition television
3
signals -- a technology of the future -- nationwide. That
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences
for your shows.
Track three -- developing a nation of students -- runs right
through your studios. Barbara and I cannot thank you enough for
your work in giving previously illiterate Americans the gift of
reading. Project Literacy U.S. -- PLUS -- helps turn Americans
submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points of
light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that simply cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the
universe of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done
more to advance the study of American history, for instance, than
Ken Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be shocked if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- promote respect for learning -- and an appetite for education.
4
As an administration, we believe deeply in education -- and
in the creativity of the American people. At PBS, you promote
the best of both -- and the whole nation is grateful.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy because they provide most of the resources.
The federal government provides only seven percent of the total
dollars spent. State and local provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every
community, every school, and every student can try to live up to.
But the states are going to be the ones who must invent a new
generation of American schools -- start from scratch and figure
out better ways to teach. The states will have to agree to hold
themselves to higher standards -- we can't do that from
Washington. But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and
to travel this country and highlight models of what works. The
state role is crucial. As much as I'd like to be the Education
5
President, it's more important that we have 50 Education
Governors.
6
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan, for instance, schools are open on
Saturday and students spend a lot more days in school per year.
In China, where they spend a great deal less money than we do,
students are routinely learning two or three languages.
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters --- they
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
everyday problems, everyday situations. And in the Soviet Union,
students are learning algebra in elementary school.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; but we should
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
everywhere continue to try to emulate us. Japan, for instance,
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
4/10/91
THE WHITE HOUSE
washington
91 JUN 10 PM 6: 19
June 10, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DAVID DEMAREST
$ 10
SUBJECT:
PBS TELECONFERENCE
OK with couplehages of
I. SUMMARY
GB
On Tuesday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m., you will address via
satellite the annual meeting of the Public Broadcasting
System in Orlando, Florida. The audience will consist of
:-2
about 900 local station executives from around the country.
II. DISCUSSION
The remarks (7 minutes, on teleprompter) outline how
public television fits into America 2000.
After the remarks, there are two questions with
suggested answers.
(Snow/Simon)
PBS.TS
Draft Two
June 10, 1991
4 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PBS TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Thank you, Bruce, for that kind introduction, and greetings
to all of you. I wish I was there with you in Orlando. Instead
I'm stuck up here in Disney World North -- otherwise known as
Washington.
I love the idea of talking with you in a teleconference.
Nothing could be more appropriate. Every day, PBS transports
ideas, lessons, and information from one side of this country to
the other -- from big cities to small towns and back.
Some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television." Your name has changed, of course, but your mission
hasn 't. Today, your 300 affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and
secondary schools across the nation. Your broadcasts reach 30
million Kindergarten through 12th grade students.
Some of your programs sustain inquisitive adults. Others go
straight to college and university campuses. (Personally, I'm
looking for a good computer instruction course -- but you
probably need to find a truly qualified 7-year-old to make it
credible.) In the past year, enrollment -- if you want to call
it that -- in your electronic college classroom has grown 20
percent.
2
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000
education strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-
track path to achieving our six national education goals:
creating better and more accountable schools for today's
students; inventing a new generation of American schools;
becoming a nation of students -- young and old; and making our
communities places where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools --
Track One. Everyone should get involved. For instance, I'm
happy to see that PBS will be donating a satellite dish to
Slanesville, West Virginia -- home of Teacher of the Year, Rae
Ellen McKee. She'll be talking to you in just a few minutes. I
visited her school in April, and I think you'll agree: she
deserves the honor she's received. //
But state-of-the-art hardware is just one way you help our
schools step into their future. My kids tell me they used to
dread it when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom
because they knew they'd have to look at a black-and-white
videotaped lecture from a teacher in a room with bad acoustics.
No one makes those complaints anymore. You've changed with the
times. You've developed new programming. You've pioneered new
broadcasting techniques -- including closed captioning for deaf
students and the Descriptive Video Service for blind students.
Now, as we prepare to create New American Schools, you look
to the heavens: Telstar 401, due to race into orbit in 1993, will
let you transmit television signals nationwide. That certainly
3
won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences for your
shows.
Track three of America 2000 -- developing a nation of
students -- runs right through your studios. Barbara and I
cannot thank you enough for your work in giving previously
illiterate Americans the gift of reading. Project Literacy U.S.
-- PLUS -- helps turn Americans submerged in the darkness of
illiteracy into beaming points of light.
You offer refresher courses, practical courses, and programs
that cause the viewer to pause, think -- and explore the universe
of ideas. I can't think of any series that has done more to
advance the study of American history, for instance, than Ken
Burns' series "The Civil War." I'll be visiting some very
special students in Delaware later today -- a group of night
school students who have worked hard to gain high school
diplomas. I would be surprised if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration -- and education -- to you.
My point is simple: The days of the little red schoolhouse.
are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition -- and
education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push
everyone in the education industry to do more, to do better. For
years your efforts -- and I've talked about only a few of them -
- have promoted respect for learning -- and an appetite for
education.
4
In launching our America 2000 project, I have asked each
state and every American community to join in an ambitious effort
-- a crusade for educational excellence. In many communities
across this country, individuals have already stepped forward to
be the sparkplug that energizes businessmen, parents, community
leaders and educators to make America's schools better and more
accountable. I believe our schools will change for the better
when parents and communities make change their mission. So, as
the America 2000 project takes root in communities across this
country, I would ask each of you to join us -- to become involved
in this enormously important revolution to transform American
education.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. Now, I'd like to
answer a few of your questions.
QUESTION: How do you see the role of the states -- and the
organizations that serve them in education -- changing in the
next century?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: State governors and legislatures -- along with
local school districts -- are crucial to the success of our
America 2000 strategy. Those who think education problems can be
solved in Washington ought to know better -- because the American
people know better. The federal government provides roughly
seven percent of the total dollars spent on education; state and
local governments provide 93 percent. At the national level, we
5
can set goals and standards that every community, every school,
and every student can try achieve. But it is in our states --- it
is in our communities that we must become part of the crusade to
invent a new generation of American schools -- to figure out
better ways of teaching and learning.
The states will have to agree to hold themselves and their
schools to higher standards -- we can't do that from Washington.
But Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are committed to
lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard, and to travel this
country and highlight models of what works. Next week, we will
join Governor Romer when he kicks off Colorado 2000 -- the first
state-wide effort to adopt the National Education Goals and
develop the strategies to meet them. The state role is crucial
as communities across the nation compete to be America 2000
communities. As much as I'd like to be the Education President,
it's more important that we have Education Governors is absolutely
our new breed A
essential To the Even of on new
program- - Anria 2000
QUESTION: What education initiatives have you seen in other
countries that you'd like to incorporate into your education
goals for the United States?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: In Japan and Korea parents are actively
involved in their children's schools -- and students do much more
homework than the average student in American schools. In China,
students routinely learn two or three languages. In the Soviet
Union, students are learning algebra in elementary school.
6
Government leaders around the world tell me that students are
learning math in different ways than American youngsters -- they
??
aren't just learning to use computers but are applying math to
alra
we
everyday problems, everyday situations.
There is a lot to learn from other countries; that but we should
well
Hincer
remember that we want to have American schools -- and countries
11
School
HALLENT
me
everywhere continue to try to emulate, us. Japan, for instance,
are upg
is trying to introduce more creativity -- and get away from just
learning by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand
champions in scientific research and technology.
* * *
So, thanks for letting me drop in on you from about 22,000
miles in Space -- by satellite, that is. And thank you for all
you're doing to make America smarter.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 11, 1991
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN TELECONFERENCE TO ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE
Old Executive Office Building
9:39 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for that kind introduction and
for your generous comments about our approach to education. And I'll
tell you, the Points of Light concept -- something new with us --
we're trying to put some focus on it, But believe me, it is taking
hold across this country, and I think it's a wonderful thing. And I
appreciate your interest in all of that.
I must confess I wish I were with you in Orlando.
Instead, I'm stuck up here in Disney World North. (Laughter.)
I love the idea of talking with you in this manner in a
teleconference. Nothing could be more appropriate. Everyday, PBS
transforms ideas, lessons and information from one side of this
country to the other -- big cities, small towns and back again.
And some of us remember when PBS was called "Educational
television. Your name's changed. But, of course, that we
understand -- but your mission hasn't. And today, your 300
affiliates serve 63,000 elementary and secondary schools across this
country. And your broadcasts reach 30 million kindergarten through
12th grade students. And some of your programs sustain inquisitive
adults. And others go straight to college and university campuses.
Personally I'd like your help. I'm looking for a good
computer instruction course. But you probably need to find a truly
qualified seven-year-old to make it credible.
I was out in Milwaukee the other day. And you should
have seen -- maybe you all have seen this -- but you should have seen
the competence of these young kids as they move into the computer age
-- their competence on computers. It's fantastic. We've got to do
more.
In the past year, enrollment, if you want to call it
that, in your electronic college classroom has grown 20 percent.
These and other programs fit right into our America 2000 education
strategy. As you know, that strategy follows a four-track path to
achieving our six national education goals: creating better and more
accountable schools for today's students; inventing a new generation
of American schools; becoming a nation of students, young and old;
and making our communities places where learning can happen.
We've talked a bit about how you improve today's schools
-- track one: Everyone should get involved. For instance, I'm happy
to see that PBS will be donating a satellite dish to Slanesville,
West Virginia, home of the Teacher of the Year Rae Ellen McKee. Is
that she I see smiling away on the monitor, maybe? And she'll be
talking to you in just a few minutes. And what a person she is. You
know, I visited her school in April and I think you'll agree when you
hear her, that she deserves and has earned the high honor that she's
received.
State-of-the-art hardware is just one way you help our
schools step into their future. My kids tell me they used to dread
MORE
- 2 -
it when a teacher rolled a television into the classroom because they
knew they'd have to look at a black and white videotaped lecture from
a teacher in a room with bad acoustics. Now, no one makes those
complaints anymore. You've changed with the times. You've developed
new programming. You've pioneered new broadcasting techniques,
including closed-captioning for deaf students and the descriptive
video service for blind students.
And now, as we prepare to create new American schools,
you look to the heavens. Telstar 401, due to race into orbit in
1993, will let you transmit television signals nationwide. And that
certainly won't hurt when it comes to developing new audiences for
your shows.
Track three of America 2000, developing a nation of
students, runs right through your studios. You mentioned Barbara and
I'm grateful for your very kind comments about her. But she and I
cannot thank you enough for your work in giving previously illiterate
Americans the gift of reading. Project Literacy U.S. Plus helps turn
Americans submerged in the darkness of illiteracy into beaming points
of light. You offer refresher courses, practical courses in programs
that cause the viewer to pause, think and explore the universe of
ideas.
I can't think of any series that has done more to advance
the study of American history, for instance, than Ken Burns' series,
The Civil War.
I'll be visiting some very special students just in an
hour or so, in Delaware later today -- a group of night school
students who've worked hard to gain high school diplomas. And
frankly, I'd be surprised if they didn't owe some of their
inspiration in education to you.
So my point is simple: The days of the little red
schoolhouse are over. We find ourselves in an era of competition.
And education, like any other vital industry, will benefit from the
constant tug and pull of new ideas, new products. You push everyone
in the education industry to do more, to do better. For years, your
efforts -- and I've talked only about a few of them -- have promoted
respect for learning and an appetite for education.
In launching our America 2000 project, I have asked each
state and every American community to join in an ambitious effort, a
crusade and this one is -- a crusade for educational excellence.
In many communities across this country, individuals have
already stepped forward to be the spark plug that energizes
businessmen, parents, community leaders and educators to make
America's schools better and more accountable.
I believe our schools will change for the better when
parents and communities make change their mission. And so as the
America 2000 project takes root in communities across this country, I
would ask each of you to join us, to become involved in this
enormously important revolution to transform American education.
Well, thanks for listening to my lecture. It is a
pleasure to be with you in this marvelous electronic manner. And
now, with no further ado, I would once again say thanks, and I'd be
glad to take a question or two. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Q
Thank you very much, Mr. President. We appreciate
your remarks to us. You talked about change. How will the role of
the states and local educational organizations change in the next
century?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, state governors and legislatures,
along with local school districts, are absolutely crucial to the
success of our America 2000 strategy. Those who think that education
problems can be solved in Washington ought to know better, because
the American people know better. The federal government provides
MORE
- 3 -
roughly seven percent -- seven percent -- of the total dollars spent
on education; state and local governments provide 93 percent. At the
national level, we can set goals and standards that every community,
every school and every student can try to achieve.
That was the beauty of the Charlottesville conference
with the governors. But it is in our states, it's in our communities
that we must become part of the crusade to invent a new generation of
American schools, to figure out better ways of teaching and learning.
The states will have to agree to hold themselves and their schools to
much higher standards. This simply cannot be done from Washington.
I am not anti-Washington, but that can't be done from Washington.
The Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander and I are
committed to lead, to exhort everyone to a higher standard and to
travel this country and highlight models of what works. Next week
we'll join Governor Romer, for example, the Governor of Colorado
who's very active in education. I might say here, look, this is a
totally nonpartisan effort. And Governor Romer, we'll be with him
when he kicks off Colorado 2000, the first statewide effort to adopt
the national education goals and develop the strategies to meet them.
The state role is crucial as communities across the nation compete to
be America 2000 communities. Our new breed of education governors --
and they are fantastic -- is essential to the success of our
revolutionary new program, America 2000.
Q
And in addition to what you see as you go around the
country, you often also meet with world leaders. Have you seen any
education initiatives in other countries that you'd like to see
incorporated in your educational goals for the United States?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, yes, some are doing certain things
better than we are. In Japan and Korea, the parents are actively
involved in their children's schools. I'd say more so than here.
Students do much more homework. This will go over well down there in
Orlando with the public schools, but they do much more homework than
the average student in American schools. In China, students
routinely learn two or three languages. I happen to think we need to
do better in multilingual disciplines.
In the Soviet Union, students are learning algebra in
elementary school. You saw the reports the other day from this
nationwide study, and it was appalling what we're not achieving in
mathematics. Government leaders around the world tell me that
students are learning math in different ways than American
youngsters. They aren't just learning to use computers, but are
applying math to everyday problems, everyday situations.
So there is a lot to learn from other countries. I am
not apologizing and saying that they're all right and we're wrong.
But we should remember that we want to have American schools that
countries everywhere are trying to emulate. Japan, for instance, is
trying to introduce more creativity and get away from just learning
by rote. And wherever we go, we're the world's grand champions in
scientific research and technology. So we can learn from them and
they can learn from us.
But the main point is, we're involved here in something
that is really revolutionary. For it to succeed -- America 2000 to
succeed, we've got to think anew, as Lincoln said. We've got to do
it in a way that approaches these problems with no fixed conclusions
as to how to solve them, but with innovative ideas. And that is why
I am SO delighted with the participation of the governors. That's
why I'm so delighted with what you referred to, sir, as the points of
light approach where communities and public media and everybody are
involved in innovating, in putting the focus where it needs to be put
-- and that is on getting this country better educated.
And we can do it. This isn't just a lot of hot air
rhetoric out of Washington. Believe me, as I go around this country,
I sense a determination in the communities to get the job done, to
improve our educational system. And it's not simply a desire of
MORE
- 4 -
Americans to be number one again, although I think we've got an awful
lot that lends that description to us right now. It's a desire to
see -- it's an understanding -- put it this way -- that a better
educated young people guarantees the future of this country.
So, look, thanks for letting me drop in on you from about
22,000 miles out there in space by satellite. And thank you all for
all that you are doing to make America smarter. Thank you all, and I
hope you have a wonderful meeting there. (Applause.)
END
9:55 A.M. EDT